Just days removed from delivering Indiana its first national championship in over a century - and completing a perfect 16-0 season not seen since the 1890s - Curt Cignetti didn’t sound like a coach ready to kick back on a beach somewhere.
“We’re going to enjoy this moment, take a day off tomorrow, get back at it Wednesday,” he said, only half-joking - if at all.
That’s just who Cignetti is. The man doesn’t do idle.
And with the way this dream season wrapped up deep into January, there’s little time for celebration anyway. Indiana’s next chapter is already underway.
New players are enrolled and on campus. Winter conditioning should be in full swing.
And with the departure of strength coach Derek Owings to Tennessee, there’s a key staff hire still to be made.
Add in the NFL Combine looming, Indiana’s Pro Day on the horizon, and the NFL Draft fast approaching, and it’s no wonder Cignetti’s already got his eyes on the future.
“I’ll be dealing with underclassmen going to the NFL tomorrow and who knows what else,” he said when asked about his post-championship plans.
That future? It starts with figuring out who’s coming back and who’s heading to the league. Six Hoosiers with remaining eligibility are weighing their NFL options - and their decisions will shape the 2026 roster in a big way.
The No-Brainers
Let’s start at the top: quarterback Fernando Mendoza. He hasn’t made anything official yet, but this one feels like a formality.
Mendoza is the kind of talent who doesn’t just lead a team to a title - he elevates a program. If he ends up going No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft, he’d be the first IU player to do so since Corby Davis in the 1930s.
That’s not just history - that’s legacy.
On the other end of the spectrum is safety Amare Ferrell, who already made his intentions clear. He’s coming back for his senior year, giving the Hoosiers a steady, experienced presence anchoring the secondary. That’s a big win for a defense that thrived on physicality and discipline.
Likely Gone
Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds has nothing left to prove in college. Three straight All-American seasons, countless highlight-reel plays, and a reputation for showing up in the biggest moments.
He’s elite in coverage, a willing tackler, and a tone-setter on the back end. The only question NFL scouts will raise is his height - and that’s not something another year in Bloomington will fix.
He’s ready.
Still Weighing the Options
Carter Smith is the name to watch here. The Big Ten’s Offensive Lineman of the Year and a first-team All-American, Smith was a rock all season long - until the national title game, where Miami’s NFL-bound edge rushers finally got to him for two sacks and a pressure.
That performance might give scouts pause, and there’s talk he could project better as a guard at the next level. Smith said postgame that he plans to return, but emotions run high after a championship.
He’ll need to take a hard look at what’s best for his future.
Omar Cooper Jr. is another intriguing case. The wide receiver has improved every year, culminating in a breakout 2025 season with 69 catches.
He moved into the slot this year - a role that fits his skill set and likely mirrors how he’d be used in the NFL. With a redshirt senior season still available, he has the option to return and continue refining his game.
But with his stock rising, the decision won’t be easy.
Then there’s Tyrique Tucker. The defensive tackle made a massive leap this past season, going from backup to first-team All-Big Ten.
He’s quick off the snap, disruptive, and plays with an edge. Like Ponds, his size may raise questions at the next level.
But unlike Ponds, Tucker’s trajectory is still climbing. Another year could solidify him as a top-tier draft prospect - or he could ride the momentum now.
What’s Next
Cignetti’s got a championship in his back pocket, but there’s no time to rest. The roster decisions coming in the next few weeks will shape Indiana’s ability to reload - not rebuild - in 2026. With a handful of key players on the fence and NFL evaluations underway, the Hoosiers’ offseason is already off to a fast start.
Don’t expect Cignetti to slow down. He’s building something in Bloomington - and he knows the work never really stops.